Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Bear will be very excited to find out that the Kennedy Plaza skating rink is opening for the season this Friday, November 19! We had some great nights last winter at the rink, including one of our better New Years Eve celebrations.

Bear and I ran into Sarah of Hanami Gallery at the Providence Arts Festival last June. We were excited to talk with her about her work.

Sarah and her fiance at the Hanami Gallery booth

Sarah has degrees in Economics and Mathematics, and worked as a financial analyst before discovering kanzashi while on vacation in Japan. She taught herself the art and now sells her creations on her website, at art fairs and on Etsy. Her designs show a great appreciation for color both in the accessories and the greeting cards she makes.

Bear loves the Tsunami Kanzashi (hair ornaments made of sculpted pieces of silk).

inspired by lilies on a pond (photo from hanamigallery.com)

I really like the floral print crane ornament on her Etsy shop right now:

photo: hanami gallery on etsy

Sarah takes custom orders as well as pre-designs, and is a member of Arts in Rhode Island. I'm seriously considering that crane.

Come to City Farm this Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m. for a free workshop on how to raise your own egg-laying hens in the city! This is the final workshop in the 2010 Plant Providence series. We’ll have experienced chicken-keepers on hand at four different stations to 1) explain the terms of the new ordinance passed by the City Council this fall; 2) walk you through constructing a coop, composting chicken manure, and preventing rats; 3) go over chick-rearing and hardy breeds for the New England climate; and 4) instruct you on daily chicken maintenance and care. Also on hand to serve as demonstration models will be City Farm’s own flock of hens! You’ll get to take home a resource guide to local sources for both birds and supplies as well as a suggested reading list to learn more. To download directions to City Farm, click here.

I'm definitely planning to go. Although Bear has no interest in raising chickens, I'm intrigued by the idea. By the time we've saved up to build a coop and buy some hens, Bear may have changed her mind.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

I stopped in here when I had to take Bear for an event at Central High School. It's just across a (very busy) street from the school, in fact, in a pretty pedestrian-unfriendly location where Westminster splits off with Cranston Street.

When I stopped in on a Saturday around lunchtime, there were only two other people there, which is good. Bubble tea, like milkshakes, takes some time to prepare. I can imagine things get pretty backed up during the rush.

There were more flavors than I realized existed in Bubble Tea, and more styles. We had our choice between "snow," "frost," and "milk." I chose snow, and was later informed by Bear that milk is the way to go. We live and learn.

The decor is bright colored and fun (loved the dragons, and the "bubbles" embedded in the walls), and the service friendly. They were playing Futurama on the tv, and there is a comfortable amount of seating, although most of the trade seems to be carryout.

A bonus: they also sell Tip-C cupcakes, a local offering that I'll have to review soon. We had the pleasure of meeting them (briefly) at I {heart} Providence back in February.

Monday, November 8, 2010

This pretty park covers about four acres, including a section of the Woonasquatucket River. It contains walking trails, an arching bridge, small waterfall, picnic tables, benches, river and cattail marsh. Originally dedicated as a park to honor Esmond Mill employees who served in World War I, it also contains a couple of WWI monuments.

An expansion in 1989 added the walking paths and a sitting area near the water and a plaque to Leo Bouchard, "Mr. Conservation."

I spotted the park on my first-ever drive down Farnum Pike Halloween weekend, and literally turned the car around to go back and check it out. It's everything we think about when we think of autumn in New England. Bear and I will be going back again and again to walk those trails in different seasons.